June 2013 Newsletter

SFI IN BRIEF

A monthly newsletter to keep you informed.

SFI Launches Standard Review Process

Earlier this week, SFI launched the process of revising the current standard to develop the SFI 2015-2019 Standard, reaching out to more than 10,000 stakeholders for input. Over the next 18 months, we look forward to constructive input as we work to strengthen the standard for the next five years. Anyone may submit comments online at the 2010-2014 SFI Standard Review site until August 6, 2013 for the first comment period. Updates will be posted periodically on the site.

Continuing Education Unit (CEU)

SFI and McGraw Hill team up for another year to produce a Continuing Education Unit, Sustainable Building with SFI Certified Wood for the June issue of Architectural Record. This CEU describes the benefits of using responsibly managed forest products certified to SFI. View the CEU here and take the online test here.

SFI and Habitat for Humanity

Habitat Ottawa

Women's Build

SFI sponsors a Women's Build in Ottawa, on June 26 to help promote responsible forestry and SFI certified building materials. SFI's Kathy Abusow hosts this special day that involves a wall-raising on a semi-detached home for an Oujibwe-Cree family. Watch an interview with the family in the Ottawa Citizenhere.

Habitat Montreal

SFI and the Quebec SFI SIC donated $2,500 towards SFI lumber to build over 40 picnic tables for the local community and were present at the H4H Turcot Village Ground Breaking. The celebrated condo project to house 8 families in 4 duplexes in St. Henri is expected to be completed at the end of 2013.

Habitat Nova Scotia

SFI & JD Irving will participate in the wall-raising of this build on June 20 for the Skinner family's new home in Governor's Brook Development in Halifax. Lumber certified to SFI will be used for the build. Danny Karch from SFI, Irving staff, as well as staff from the Nova Scotia Ministry of Natural Resources will be in attendance.

Georgia SIC

The Georgia SIC debuted their Sustainable Forestry video on May 14, building on the Macon Area Habitat for Humanity build which was dedicated on May 10th. The GA SIC and partners will now go on a Speakers Bureau Road Show presenting the video to local media and stakeholders. This video was partially funded through SFI's 2013 Conservation and Community Partnerships Grant Program.

Oregon SIC

The Oregon SIC recently sponsored the annual Habitat for Humanity Oregon Spring Training held in May. The training materials were provided in a folder with the SFI logo, and included various SFI information materials. Nineteen of the 32 Habitat affiliates from across Oregon participated in the training, and received the SFI material and information regarding use of certified wood in green building.

SFI 2013 Annual Conference

This is the year to be at the 2013 SFI Annual Conference, September 17-19 in San Antonio, TX! With a great line up of speakers, the first workshop discussion on the 2015-2019 Standard Revision Process, and a lot of southern charm, this is the conference participants will be talking about. Register Now to get the early bird rate, and start dusting off those cowboy boots!